WASHINGTON — While Americans won’t be preparing their turkey dinners for Thanksgiving until late November, Canadians are already celebrating.

Thanksgiving in Canada falls on the second Monday of October, leaving many wondering why the holiday is earlier than the U.S. and less widely discussed outside the country.

Why is Thanksgiving celebrated in October in Canada?

In Canada, Thanksgiving is tied to the fall harvest season, which arrives earlier due to the country’s colder climate. As a result, the Canadian Parliament set the holiday for the second Monday in October back in 1957, so the weather is still perfect for outdoor celebrations and travel.

Prior to that decision, Parliament would vote on a date for the holiday to be celebrated each year. This year, the holiday takes place on

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